Time to decorate I know. Just a few items came out this year and we are using the simple small pre-lit trees. Sir Old Man hung the door decorations. I spotted this lovely red blooming cactus at the store this week. I have several cactus---purplish pink, and peachy tone one. But loved the red for a change, even if the red fades as the blooms age, it looks like holiday to me.
Sir Old Man has been working on serving trays for gifts and this is the first one finished. He has been experimenting and arranging wood strips for several weeks. I think this one is walnut, maple and cherry.
Different combinations give a different look. He tries to make me pick a favorite and I can't. They are each special and unique to the wood combination.
The photos don't show how satiny smooth they are. He hand rubs the finish in. No stain is used after he fumes the wood to give it a mellow patina.
I was feeling much better after the weather cleared and spent a bit of time in the sewing room.. I added a few more blocks to the Scrappy Trips on the wall. I love how you can not predict the result, you just never know what the outcome will be like. And yet, it always seems to work. Those crazy fabric combinations can highlight and hide the ugliest of fabrics.
I spent some time cutting parts for more of the Chandelier chain blocks. And woke this morning with pain...severe tendinitis pain in my wrist and thumb. Guess that is a no-no......and combine it with the bad weather ---could be rain, or sleet, or snow----heading our way, I may be out of business for a few days. I already feel it in my shoulder and feet.
I have cookies to make for the holidays. And fruit cake bars were/are in the plans for the weekend. Maybe I can sew up the parts I already cut, and then teach Sir Old Man how to safely use the rotary cutter if I need extra.
Happy stitching.
Sir Old Man's work is outstanding, as always. I absolutely love the first tray you shared. Your scrappy trips quilt is coming along beautifully too. After all these years I think I love scrappy the best. I too have to watch how much time I spend with the rotary cutter, the vacuum cleaner, etc. And especially the weather patterns these days. Between the back and wrist and recovering eyes some days I feel like a total cripple. Looking forward to the day (I hope) when I no longer see squares and rectangles as trapezoids, should improve the cutting accuracy, lol!
ReplyDeleteI love a red Christmas Cactus blooming this time of year! I finally have one blooming, and I thing they are very cheerful and attractive. I saw one in a store last year that had red and white mixed and potted together. It was gorgeous in bloom. I bought it as a gift and went back later to get one for me, but they were all gone. Checked the store this year and they don't have any blended pots. I may have to make one myself.
ReplyDeleteJaw-dropping is all I can think of to describe your hubby's trays. My goodness, they are incredible! I love all things wood, and I have a cutting board made by a friend's son like this, but you don't get to show off a cutting board like you can a tray. Lucky recipients of those beauties!
So sorry you are having more difficulties, Debbie. Continuing to keep you in my prayers (as always).
Absolutely the nicest wooden serving trays I have ever seen. And what a beautiful Christmas cactus too! You look like you are ready to party this holiday season!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely cactus--I only have a white and a very pale pink I would like to find a yellow one...--and a friend has one that is red and purple ...very pretty..hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteThe wooden trays remind me of the work my Dad did - just beautiful. I think a wood craftsman could certainly learn to use a rotary cutter with ease. I help some of our 'elder' quilters who have cutting difficulties. Take your time and ease yourself into what suits you for the day. It is a season of family and home time; so relax.
ReplyDeleteThose wooden trays are gorgeous!!! Sir Old Man is very handy! I love your scrappy trips - You've got me thinking maybe I should do another one and use up some of the ugly fabric that is lurking around here. I hope your weather gets better so you feel better. Do take care! ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteLove the scrappy trips! Much better than what mine looks like so far. I have a red, fuschia and red orange Christmas Cactus. And one champagne pink sprig that I got from rehab when the cleaning crew knocked it over. One little sprig with two huge blooms. Can't wait to plant it in the spring. I would love a pale pink one like Wanda and a yellow one and a peach one. Can't find any around here. Hate to mail order it. Have you thought of a Martelli cutter? You push those and can sit to cut. No pressure on the shoulder, you just push it forward. I use it at times. I learned how to cut proper with it at a show. Before, I was using it like my Olfa and hated it. Rest up!
ReplyDeleteThose trays are stunning—love them! I always see similarities between sewing/quilting and woodworking and I bet he could pick up rotary cutting in no time. The winter weather can really be painful—so sorry you’re feeling it!
ReplyDeleteI would think Sir Old Man would have no trouble learning to use a rotary cutter. Do you have any fellow quilters nearby? Maybe you could barter some watercolor quilting lessons in exchange for a volunteer fabric cutter. I cut for one of our group who had a stroke last year and has trouble cutting strips. Hope you can get your holiday baking done.
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Those trays are lovely. I am sure anyone who can do that can learn to cut fabric with a rotary cutter.
ReplyDeleteI woke to rain this morning, so I am sure that front is what came through to exacerbate your pain.
I can see why it is impossible to choose a favorite tray! They are like quilts, with different wood/fabric and designs making each one unique and beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteYour Scrappy Trips are looking fine. Are the strips 2.5" wide, making a 12" finished block? Do you try to layout the strips light to dark before cutting, or is it a little more complicated than that?
Good morning Debbie.....Sir Old Man is definitely a Master Craftsman where wood is concerned, and while all 3 are beautiful, my favorite would be the first one, because of the contrast in the 3 middle strips, and the variety of widths and woods used.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are hurting so much Debbie and how difficult it must be for you to be at the mercy of the weather. You are still in my prayers.
I spent the day baking yesterday, and as I sit here writing this, have a hot wrap around my neck and one on my back. I can't do as much baking in one day as I used to, so it will take me at least a week to get it all done. The cookies and pound cake are used as gifts for my family and friends, and it takes well over a thousand cookies to do that.
Not being an indoor plant enthusiast, I never realized how beautiful the cactus plants were, and then, several years ago, after joining Wanda's blog, I was stunned to see how many colors and varieties she has, and they are all gorgeous. Hopefully you will feel better soon.
I saw her collection, and was flabbergasted to see how many colors she has accumulated over the years
You are two very talented people! Sir Old Man's trays are beautiful! And I love everything that you make!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely trays your hubby made. I have a friend that has 2 different Christmas cactus'. One of them is 40 years old. It's HUGE!. Hope you don't get snowed in. The weather your direction looks frightful!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I thought I had left a comment on this post, obviously not. You have a perfect coloured Christmas cactus for the season. Now those stunning serving trays truly are works of art,
ReplyDeleteI have never seen any like this before, wonderful colour. Your scrappy trips is growing nicely, I am tempted to sew one using all the different colours as you have, I made one (waiting for quilting) but it was based mainly on peach/coral with a little green here and there, but I love yours!
Somehow I missed this post until today! You've been on my mind with the snow headed your way and hope you still have power. Sir Old Man's trays are absolutely lovely. I wouldn't be able to choose a favorite either.
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